Car-handling apparatus.



PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

L. F. CARD.

GAR HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTA), 1904.

iimwwr W 1 UNITED STATES Patented July 11, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CAR-HANDLING APPARATUS.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,587, dated July11, 1905.

Application filel September 9, 1904. Serial No. 223,907.

To all wit/0111 it inay conccrn' Be it known that I, LoUIs F. CARD, acitizen of the United States, residing at Coalcreek, in the county ofAnderson and State of Tennessee, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Car-Handling Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to car-handling apparatus or tipples speciallyadapted for use with mines for automatically dumping mine cars, but alsocapable of other applications where car-dumping means are employed.

The invention consists, primarily, in providing a downgrade main trackover which loaded cars pass, having automatic switch devices cooperatingwith a reversely-graded return-track orsiding to receive the empty cars,both tracks respectively leading to and returning from a tipple-platformhaving a normal upgrade to obstruct to some extent the movement of theloaded car engaging the same after clearing the main track, the switchdevices automatically operating independently of the loaded car afterthe latter is on the tipple-platform to throw in the returntrack orsiding for the empty car. 7

The invention further consists in a downgrade main track for loaded carsleading to a tipple-platform or dumping means and having therein ascale-platform section with automatically-operating stopping or brakingmechanism for properly checking the movement of and holding the carproperly on the scale-section without interfering with the grade of thetrack, the car after the weighing operation being manually released andcontinuing by gravitation toward the table.

The primary object of the invention is to construct a car handling ordumping apparatus, including a tipple or dumping mechanism, in suchmanner that the several parts will be positively controlledautomatically, and thereby reduce the necessity of manual attention to aminimum.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a car-handling apparatusembodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe same, the operation of the tipple or dumping mechanism being shownin normal position in full lines and in operative position in dottedlines. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1,showing the track-rails and car-checking means in connection with one ofthe rails to cooperate with the scale-section.

Similar numerals of reference are employed 1 to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate the rails of a main-track section, whichmay extend any distance and register with rails 3 and 4 onascale-platform 5, having suitable scale mechanism cooperating therewithand located at a distance therefrom. The main track is continued inadvance of the scale-platform by rails 6 and 7, the rail 7, adjacent tothe scaleplatform, having a switch-point 8, movably connected thereto atone end, and a second shorter switchpoint 9, located close to the tippleor dumping mechanism, both switchpoints 8 and 9 being automatic in theiroperation and normally standing open or projected inwardly from the rail7. The main track for the loaded cars, including the rails 1 and 2, 3and 4, and 6 and 7, is laid or arranged at a suitable downgrade, whichmay be varied to accommodate certain surrounding conditions or specialoperations that may be desired. This main track terminates in operativeadjacency to theinner ends of trackbars or tipple-rails 10, disposedover a sheetiron bottom 11, as in usual tipple constructions. On oneside of the tipple and rising therefrom a suitable distance adjacent toone of the tipple-rails is a wheel-retainer 12, consisting of a piece ofmetal sloping toward the rail and operating to prevent the rear wheel ofthe car from leaving the rails when the car comes back in position afterbeing dumped. The retainer 12 extends far enough over toward the rail towhich it is adjacently located to engage the inner side of the rearwheel near the same, and thereby hold both rear wheels in close contactwith the tipplerails 10; but said retainer does not interfere with themovement of the wheels over the tipple-rails. There is always more orless concavity or recessed surface at the inner side of the usualcar-wheels, which will permit the retainer to operate as desired andobstruct the disengagement of the flanges of the rear wheels from thetipple-rails. At the center of the bottom 11 a heavy metal balancing-bar13 is adjustably secured to compensate for varying positions of loads incars that may run onto the tipple or to render the dumping operation ofthe latter more or less sensitive, the said bar projecting inwardly andwhen adjusted moved longitudinally and held in its adjusted position bysuitable securing means. The tipple-rails 10 terminate inupwardlyprojecting hooked extremities 1 1, which strike the gate latchesor devices and also catch the adjacent wheels of the car-truck and holdthe ear with sufficient resistance to prevent it from being overthrown.

The tippleplatform, including the bottom 11 and tipple-rails 10, ismounted on a suitably-supported shaft 15, which has an upstanding arm orlever 16 secured to one end, and to the said lever is movably attachedthe rear end of a pull-rod or analogous device 17, which runs rearwardlyand is movably connected to a hand-lever 18, located adjacent to theweighing mechanism or scale-platform 5. In practice the tipple is soadjusted by the bar 13 that a loaded car running onto the same will bedumped automatically when it strikes the hooked terminals 14 of the tiple-rails 10 but the car will not return to a iorizontal position untilthe tipple-platform is brought to such position by the operation of thelever 18.

A return or side track is employed with the main track and consists ofrails 19 and 20, inclined reversely to the main track or downwardly fromthe tipple mechanism. The rail 20, adjacent to the tipple mechanism, hasa seat 21 to receive the switch-point 9, and the rail 19 passes throughthe opening 22 of the main track-rail 7, which is controlled by theswitch-point 8 and has a curved throwrail or switch-point 23 movablyattached thereto, and having a reduced terminal normally held in asuitable seat in the end of the rail 6 of the main track adj acent tothe tipple mechanism. The portion of the rail 19 which passes throughthe opening 22 is depressed sufficiently to avoid interference with thethrow of the switch-point 8, and the normal upward inclination or gradeof the tipple-platform, which is adapted to slightly check the movementof the car running thereon, is similar and coincides with the plane ofthe downgrade of the return-track including the rails 19 and 20 and theswitch-point 23, and hence when the tipple-platform is restored tonormal position through the operation of the hand-lever 18 and theconnections therefor with the shaft the empty car by gravitation willimmediately start to move and automatically return over the track-rails19 and and pass out from the main track.

The switch-point 8 has a transversely-ex tending switch-rod 24 attachedto the free end thereof and movably passes under the rail 6 of the maintrack and is attached to a strong spring 25, secured to a suitable support or a part of the frame on which the apparatus is disposed. Thisspring 25 is a retractile spring and operates, through the rod 24, tohold the switch-point 8 in normal open position, and the end of the saidrod connected to the switch-point projects sufficiently outward beyondthe latter to bear on the adja cent portion of the rail 19 of thereturn-track to hold the switch-point 8 against depression when a loadedcar is moving thereover. The switch-point 9 also has the end of aswitchrod 26 attached to its free extremity, and said rod is also fixedto the free reduced extremity of the switch point or rail 23. Theswitch-rod 26 also extends under the main track-rail 6 and is terminallyattached to a retractile spring 27, which. is also secured to a part ofthe supporting-frame.

As before'indicated, the character of the scale mechanism so far as thelever connections, beams, &c., are concerned may include any well-knownmechanism for this purpose, and the essential feature in this particulararrangement is to dispose the platform 5 in the main track. It isobvious, however, that in view of the downgrade of the main track towardthe tipple some means must be provided for temporarily stopping the carto weigh the load thereof, and this is done in the present instancewithout relying upon manual operation. The mechanism for checking theloaded car and bring ing it to a stop in proper position over theplatform 5 consists of a brake-bar 28, which is normally held in closerelation to the trackrail 3 on the platform, and which rail is inalinement with the rails l and 6. The brakebar 28 has the opposite endsbeveled outwardly for clearance purposes and is adapted to engage theouter sides of adjacent earwheels. Projecting inwardly from the oppositeextremities of the brake-bar are coupling-arms 29, which are movable inslots 1n the rail-sections 3 and have the ends of strong retractilesprings 30 secured thereto, the opposite ends of said springs beingadjustably connected by nutted hooked bolts 31 to the rail orrail-section 4. By the use of the adjusting means between the ends ofthe springs 30 and the rail or rail-section 41, as set forth, thetension of said springs can be regulated as found desirable. To releasea car after the weighing operation, it is necessary to withdraw thebrake-bar 28 from contact with the wheel side or sides, and for thispurpose a hand-lever 32 is used and movably connected to the center ofsaid brake-bar, the lower end of the hand-lever being fulcrumed to apart of the scale-platform means or frame for the platform. Thishand-lever or releasing-lever 32 also has an outwardly- I same and theshaft 15, though said hand-leprojecting arm 33 disposed in a horizontalplane and terminating at its free end in a foot-tread plate 34. By this.means the brake-bar 28 may be released either by hand operation orfoot-pressure.

The full operation of the tipple is as follows: A loaded car is allowedto run from any point in the main track by gravity to the scalemechanism, where it is automatically stopped or checked in its movementby the brake-bar 28. It is then weighed and subsequently released by anoperator or weighman, who draws backwardly the lever 32 either by handor foot pressure. After the car is released it continues by gravity overthe main track toward the tipplef The flanges of the car or wheel firststrike the switch-pointS and automatically close the same and thenengage and close the switchpoint 9. When the latter switch-point isclosed, the switch-rod 26, connected thereto, simultaneously opens theswitch point or rail 23, and the car is thus free to pass over thetipple-platform and the wheels thereof to engage the tipple-rails 10 andbe dumped by striking the hooked terminals 14 of said tipplerails. Assoon as the car passes onto the tipple-platfo'rm the switch-points allassume normal position, the switch-point 8 of course returning to normalposition as soon as the car leaves the same. the return-track, and theweighman, standing adjacent to the scale mechanism, draws inwardly onthe lever 18 and raises the empty car, as well as the tipple-platform,and immediately the car starts to move by gravity overthe switch-point23 and adjacent portion of the rail 20. It is obvious that instead ofusing springs in connectionwith the switch rods 24 and 26 weights may beemployed and other detail changes may be made. as fairly fall within thescope of the invention.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the improvedcar-handling apparatus is entirely automaticin its operation, ow-

ing to the grades of the main and return tracks. The scale mechanism setforth may be used independently of the tipple mechanism specified andthe graded tracks. By reason of the reverse grades of the main trackleading to the tipple-platform and the return-track from the latter theinside rails of 7 both tracks at the point of crossing can be maintainedat a normal height of the rails, and thus establish a continuity oftractionsurface, which is advantageous in holding the cars to thetracks.

In some instances the bar 13 may be so proportioned or given such weightand position of adjustment that it willovercome the weight of thetipple-platform and the empty car and automatically restore suchdevicesto normal position without actuating the hand lever 18 and theconnections between the This operation clears ver and. its connectionsform a valuable auxiliary in quickly restoring the tipple-platform andempty car to normal positions after. dumping operation. It will beunderstood that such degree of grade within certain distances will beadopted in both the main and return tracks as is best adapted for I thepurpose, and, furthermore, changes in the proportions and dimensions maybe va-' ried at will. The framework for supportin the apparatus has notbeen shown, but will be that usually employed for this purpose.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new isr 1. In a car-handling'apparatus, the com bination of primaryintersecting main and re turn tracks having reverse angles ofinclination or grades, the rails of the return-track having their endsterminating at the ends of the main track, independent switch devicescooperating with the main track at two separate points in the latterwhere the rails of the return-track intersect and pass into the maintrack, said switch devices being normally open and closed independentlyof operating devices located at adistance therefrom, by directengagement therewith of the car- .wheels to render the main trackcontinuous, and .automaticallyoperating tipple mechanism at thecoinciding terminals of bothtracks. 2. In a car-handling apparatus oftheclass set forth, the combination of a main track and areturn-track,the terminals of both tracks being coincident or terminating equally,both tracks being also reversely graded with relation to each other,normally open switch devices at separate points in the main track wherethe rails of the returntrack intersect the rails of said main track, theswitch devices being automatically operative to closed the .main track,the one switch device being supported when closed by an adjacent portionof one of the rails of the return-track,

position by the wheels of the car passing over and a tipple mechanismhaving a platform set forth, the combination of downwardlyinclined mamtrack, a reversely-inclined re turn-track terminally intersecting themain track, and a tipple mechanism arranged adacent to the terminals ofsaid tracks and having an adjustable counterbalancing device attached tothe table thereof.

5. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, adownwardly-inclined track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacent to oneter minal of said track, and a counterbalancing device adjustablyconnected to said tipple mechanism and directly carried by and movablewith the latter.

6. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, adownwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism having a platform,tipplerails coinciding with the terminals of the main-tracl rails, and acounterbalancing device adjustably connected to the platform of thetipple mechanism and directly applied to and movable with said platform.

7. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, adownwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacent toone terminal of said track and including a shaft, and a hand-leverlocated at a distance from and connected to the said shaft for returningthe platform to normal position.

8. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardlyinclined main track, a reversely-inclined return-trackintersecting the main track, a tipple mechanism disposed adjacent to theter minals of the said tracks and including a shaft, and a hand-leverlocated at a distance from and connected to the said shaft for restoringthe tipple mechanism to normal position.

9. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardlyinclined main track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacentto one terminal of said track and having tipple-rails, a car-wheelretainer on the tipple mechanism adjacent to and projecting toward oneof said rails, and means for restoring the tipple mechanism to nor malposition.

10. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism adjacent to oneterminal of said track and including a shaft, an upWardly-projecting armsecured to one extremity of said shaft, and a hand-lever located at adistance from the arm and connected thereto.

11. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a clown- \\'a1'dlyinclined main track having norm ally open switchelements at intermediate and terminal points, a return-trackintersecting the main track and reversely inclined to the latter and.also provided with a removable switch element between the rails of themain track, tipple mechanism adjacent to the intersecting extremities ofthe tracks, and switch-rods connected to the switch elements and havingmeans attached thereto for normally holding the elements of the maintrack open and the element of the return-track closed with relation tothe main track.

12. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardly-inclined main track having a scale mechanism interposedtherein, and a tipple mechanism at one extremity of said track.

13. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardly-inclined main track having a scale mechanism interposedtherein and including an automatically-operating brake-bar, and a tipplemechanism located at one extremity of said track.

14. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationwith a down- Wardly-inclined track, of a scale mechanism interposedtherein and having an automatically-operating brake-bar close to oneside thereof, a lever connected to said brake-bar having means for handand foot operation in connection therewith, and a tipple mechanism atone extremity of the said track.

15. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardly-inclined track, a scale mechanism interposed therein andincluding a brake-bar adjacent to one side of said track havingresilient devices attached thereto, and a releasing-lever provided withfoot-operatingmeans, and a tipple mechanism adjacent to the lower end ofsaid track.

16. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationwith a downwardly-inelined track and tipple mechanism at the lowerextremity of the latter, of scale mechanism consisting of a platform, aresiliently-operated brake-bar adjacent to one side of the track on theplatform, and a man ual releasing-lever attached to the said brakebar.

17. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combinationof a downwardly-inclined track, a tipple arranged adjacent to the lowerend of said track, scale mechanism interposed in the main track andhaving a brake-bar normally held close to one side of the latter, amanual releasing means for said brake-bar, and a manuallyoperated leverconnected to the tipple mechanism for restoring the latter to normalposition and located adjacent to the scale mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

LOUIS F. CARI). Witnesses:

GEORGE WV. VVENDLING, SAMUEL B. [Minus IOC IIC

